THIS PAGE IS A WORK ON PROGRESS.


This page is going to be a complete guide on the basics of knives. It is being managed by Conmiro so contact him if you have any complaints.

Knives are very important tools in any survival situation. Picking the right knife for the task at hand can be a difficult decision for some people. There are many factors in a knife, which will be explained below:


Steel Type

One of the most important, yet most often overlooked trait of a knife is what steel it uses. There are two main types of steel: Carbon, and Stainless.

Carbon steels generally have a higher carbon and lower chromium content than stainless steels. Generally, they are sharper and hold an edge better than stainless steel knives, and are easier to sharpen. They also can strike a spark off a rock, unlike stainless steels. Unfortunately, they are suscepticle to corrosion and rust and must be properly oiled.

Stainless steels have a higher chromium and lower carbon content.They don't take as good of an edge, are hard to sharpen, and dull easier than carbon steels. However, they do not rust, making them decent for everyday use knives while less impressive for survival type knives. If a knife says "stainless" it is most likely a cheap 440a steel.



Grind Type.

How a knife is ground has a big affect on it's performance.A basic guide to grinds can be found here: GRIND TYPES

Serrated or Plain Edge?

A plain edge knife has a straight edge, and is more commonly seen. While it is not as agressive when cutting synthetic materials like rope or wire, it is much more durable and versatile. Serrated edges have many teeth, similar to a saw, which helps it cut through materials like wire, rope, plastics, and thick cloth easier. It is not a good choice for combat or woodscraft as the teeth can be somewhat delicate.




Fixed blade or Folding?

Another important decision when purchasing a knife is whether it folds or not. A folding knife generally has a pivot point and a lock, which keeps the blade in the open position. It is easier to carry than a fixed blade, but is generally weaker.






THIS PAGE IS A WORK ON PROGRESS.